The Journey Continues

The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.  Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Psalm 9:9-10

I have not posted here for several months.  I have had some very serious health issues.  I won’t bore you with the details, but I have resigned from all of the teams I was involved in, except for Manna.  I am not allowed to drive and over the last eight months have been on and off with driving.  Beginning to regain strength.

I feel that I can help keep myself busy and possibly give some inspiration and help to others by posting on this blog more frequently.  I am working on a third cookbook:  Cooking with Leftovers in Mind.  You always have something left after most dinners.  Throwing food away is very expensive.  My goal is to post at least one recipe for leftovers each week.

Leftover Macaroni and Cheese

Brown 1 lb. ground beef (can use turkey)

1 can tomato soup

1 T. chili powder

Add the macaroni and cheese (at least 2 cups).  Add enough water to thin to the consistency that you like.

Heat until heated through.  Optional:  chopped onions and/or green peppers.

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Easy Fudge Recipe

When he was at the table with them, he took the bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.  Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him.   Luke 24: 30-31 NIV

I love to give homemade goodies away for Christmas, but this past year with health issues I have not had the strength to do much.  I found this fudge recipe and it is “fabulous”.  It tastes like you have stirred for hours to make the old fashioned type of fudge your grandmother made.  Three of my granddaughter and I made some this weekend.  Easy enough for even a five year old.

3 cups of chips (chocolate, peanut butter, butter scotch, white, whatever you want)

1  can of sweetened condensed milk

Melt this together in the microwave.  Do 30 second intervals and stir.  It usually takes about 2 minutes.  Have a 9 x 9 pan lined with foil or parchment paper that has been sprayed with nonstick spray.  Pour into the pan and allow to harden.  You can leave at room temperature or put in the fridge.  You can add anything you want to this.

I made chocolate fudge and after melted added miniature peppermint marshmallows.

White chocolate with macadamia nuts.

Peanut butter chips with an added 1/2 cup of crunchy peanut butter.

Butterscotch with 1/2 cup peanut butter added.

You can see the possibilities.  Unlimited with candied fruit, nuts, etc.  Enjoy.

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Manna Update

This is definitely God’s ministry.  I have had some serious health issues the past year, but the ministry has continued without missing a beat.  God continues to provide volunteers and monetary support.  I am so thankful to be a small part of this meal.  The volunteers have really stepped up and continued.  I always knew that this was not MY ministry, but some others felt that I had to be there.  The past few months has proven that God is in charge.

The number of meals that we are serving each week has increased to an average of 200 each week.  We have had a few weeks that went over 300 meals.  We have had a lot of food donated this year and with smart shopping we have still been able to keep the cost of our meals to approximately $1.00 for each meal.  Through the end of October we have served 48,301 meals since the program began in September of 2008.

Manna has definitely become a Community effort.  We have several churches involved, businesses and individuals from the community.  Personal donations have decreased some this past year, but with some organizations, grants,businesses and other groups donating Manna continues to have funds with which to operate.  Manna is considered a non-profit because we operate under the United Methodist Church 501 (c) 3 guidelines.  If you would like to make a donation please contact me and I can give you the information where to send the donation and we can provide you with a form for a tax donation.

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Barack Obama’s Presidency

Psalm  138:8  The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord endures forever – do not abandon the works of your hands. 

Today was definately a Historic day for our country.  I am not a minority and do not pretend to know what minorites in our country have faced or what this day meant to those groups.   I pray that this is a sign that this country gives people the opportunity to  prosper beyond any other country in the world.

I have really been appauled at the tone of the conservative “talk radio” today.  I did NOT vote for President Obama.  I do not believe that government handouts will solve the problems of the economy.  BUT, I also believe that someone who can inspire the people in this country to come together to support each other, help each other and take an active role in getting our country back on track cannot be bad.

I remember the presidency of John F. Kennedy.  He inspired this country to look beyond themselves and to help each other.  Ronald Regan also inspired us to become one nation.  I pray that this country can come together.  The words that John F. Kennedy spoke, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for this country”, should be our mantra.  Together we can embrace each other, help meet each others needs and propel this country into a new era.

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Recipe Contest

1 John 4:7  Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. 

I am developing a new cookbook of easy to prepare, economical recipes.  I know many of you have some great recipes that have gotten you through hard times.  This contest will run until the end of December 2008.  By submitting your recipe you are agreeing to allow me to use this recipe in future cookbooks, posts, or other uses.  You will be credited with submitting the recipe, so be sure to tell me how you want to be mentioned:  by your blog, e-mail, name, etc. 

What do you get??????  A cookbook to the recipe I feel is the best suited to enter the book.  Others may be chosen to be published, but there is only one winner.  The cookbook is my original cookbook.  I wrote this several years ago.  The children kept calling back asking for this and that recipe.  I self-published and have sold many copies:  local bookstores, friends/family, E-bay, etc.  These are basic recipes that definately have a Southern influence.  Many people have told me this is the only cookbook that they use now.  There are a 160 recipes in this cookbook.  It is SOLD out, so don’t ask for a copy, EXCEPT to the winner.  Yes, I am in the process of writing a sequel with new and improved recipes plus many of the old tried and true recipes.

The rules are:  1. Recipe that has economical ingredients, 2.  Easy to prepare (crockpot, prepare ahead, quick in the kitchen), 3.  Easy to find ingredients, 4.  Spices, etc. that would be commonly found in most kitchens, 5. All categories:  Appetizers, Vegetables, Breads, Sides, Main Dishes, Meats, Poultry, Fish, Pasta, Salads, Soups, Desserts, Kids Recipes, Dishes for One/Two, Prepare ahead and Freeze, Vegetarian and Others, 6.  Extra points for Money Saving ideas with the recipe.

You must submit the recipe via a comment on this post.  Make sure that your post will allow me to contact you if you win.

 

GOOD LUCK!!!!!

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Church Dinner Dishes – Cheese Strata

Psalm  25:10    All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenent.

I have had so many searches for “Church Dinner Recipes” that I have decided to start another tag on this blog.  Many of the recipes that I have can be used for Church Dinners, but what I am going to post here are dishes that are meant to feed 25-100 people.  I am embarking on a “feeding program” for our county which will include a free meal offered to the public.  I have been doing a lot of research for economical dishes that will feed the multitude.  These dishes will be nutritional, easy to prepare, economical and taste great.  If you have any ideas/recipes I would love to have feedback.

This is a great dish to use up leftover bread (buns, rolls, biscuits, etc.) 

Cheese Strata – 25 servings

24 cups of bread – cubed like you would tear up for dressing

2 lbs. of cheese – cheddar, american, etc. – sliced or shredded

16 eggs

10 cups milk

2 t mustard

1/4 cup minced onion

4 t salt

1/2 t pepper

Arrange half the bread in greased baking pans to a depth of 2 inches.  Cover with cheese.  Top with the remaining bread.  Beat the eggs, milk mustard, onion, salt and pepper.  Pour over the bread/cheese mixture and refrigerate overnight.  Bake uncovered for approximately 50 mintes at 325 degrees. 

This is great as a side dish for ham, meatloaf, etc.  You can add vegetables (asparagus), meats (ham or chicken) as well as mushrooms, peppers, etc. for a main dish.  You can also add bacon/sausage for a breakfast casserole. 

This has been a great hit at our Wednesday Night Dinners.  Hope you enjoy.

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Eating Well in Hard Times – April 13

Proverbs 16:6  Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord a man avoids evil.

I didn’t cook the usual large Sunday meal today.  Hubby had to leave for Illinois, Son #1 exhibited at the Home and Garden Show so I decided to take a “time out” and not cook.  However I did cook some Pinto Beans on Saturday. 

Pinto Beans, Cornbread, Sauerkraut with hot dogs. 

Leftover Pinto Beans:  1.  Drain the liquid and freeze the beans to use in chili or use in chili within a few days, 2.  Enchilada Bean bake – recipe on the blog which is a great meatless casserole that freezes well.

Leftover cornbread:  1. Make dressing from the cornbread and use to stuff cornish hens, pork chops, etc. 2.  chicken casserole:  dressing in the bottom of the casserole (use less moisture), place on top chicken breasts and then top with cream of chicken soup and bake, 3.  mexicali casserole with beans, corn, pasta, ripe olives, chili, etc. and top with cornbread.

Hope this gives you some ideas for using your leftovers.  If you don’t want to make these dishes this week and have time to assemble then make them and freeze.  Always great to have a few casseroles in the freezer.

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